Poet Chris McCabe has restyled himself as a literary detective, to discover the lost poets residing in London's 'Magnificent Seven' cemeteries. His book Cenotaph South: Mapping the Lost Poets of Nunhead Cemetery does pretty much what it says on the tin.
Except that McCabe's work stretches further than just Nunhead; he has combed through the other magnificent six too, discovering 12 other poets, and making an important discovery about William Blake's vision of an angel on Peckham Rye along the way.
A special edition of the book contains a map of his findings (above). The fabulous illustration by Frances Ives mentions someone who is still well remembered — just not for his poetry; Karl Marx.
Chris reads from Cenotaph South at 4pm on 30 October in Nunhead Cemetery's ruined Anglican chapel. It's free, but let them know you're coming.
Chris McCabe is also collaborating with publisher Penned in the Margins on the Dead Poets Social Club. Taking place from 5 -7 December, it's a series of after-dark performances in Tower Hamlets Cemetery.
